I’m told God and Government Do Not Mix.
Poppycock, baloney, hogwash! Pastor Tony Evans is right when he says, “The Bible is pregnant with politics.” The Bible addresses many meaningful topics such as
economics, military power, war and peace, international relations, social reform, welfare, crime and punishment, church and state, and much more. It is cascades with politics. It is particularly strong in giving nations a clear warning that blessing comes from honoring God and cursing and consequences come to nations who dishonor Him.
God Cares About Political Matters.
If God is concerned every time a sparrow falls to the ground, if God counts the very hairs of our heads, then God surely cares about the civic affairs of the state. If God sent His prophets of old to thunder against the abuses of the kings of Israel and Judah, if God’s servants were to warn of the evils in ancient Assyria and Babylon, then surely, today, God’s pastors are to speak up regarding the relevant truths of Scripture that help present the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
Nations that Forget God are Now Forgotten!
God cares so much for civil government and political matters, that nations that ignore God and this truth are eventually undercut. History shows that the great empires of Egypt, Phoenicia, and Persia are but a dust heap. The majesty of Greece is gone; today they languish in financial and spiritual ruin. The Roman Empire is but rubble. Italy remains a great place to visit; even the ruins are beautiful. But the country languishes in obscurity. The British Empire has been truncated into nominal world influence since its’ commonwealth abandoned God. The former hollow atheist state of the former Soviet Empire self-imploded in less than 70 years.
Gary DeMar, in his wonderful book “God and Government” writes, “The historical landscape is replete with the strewn corpses of fallen dynasties and collapsed kingdoms. There is a reason for this. Every kingdom that has fallen in some way or another has transgressed God’s commandments” (p. 204).
Nations that forget God either collapsed under the weight of their own sinful decadence or they were conquered by other hostile kingdoms (Daniel 1:17; 2:31-45; 4:28-37; 5:1-31). In either case, the reason for their collapse is spiritual (and ethical). They transgressed God’s commandments and God judged them. Nations that submit to God remain; those that rebel are judged.
Psalm 33:12
God’s word couldn’t be clearer. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
God’s Chosen Nation was No Exception!
“Righteousness exalts a nation [positive sanction and blessing], but sin is a disgrace to any people[negative sanctions and cursing]”
The post Nations that God Blesses appeared first on Dr. Dave White.
Poppycock, baloney, hogwash! Pastor Tony Evans is right when he says, “The Bible is pregnant with politics.” The Bible addresses many meaningful topics such as
economics, military power, war and peace, international relations, social reform, welfare, crime and punishment, church and state, and much more. It is cascades with politics. It is particularly strong in giving nations a clear warning that blessing comes from honoring God and cursing and consequences come to nations who dishonor Him.God Cares About Political Matters.
If God is concerned every time a sparrow falls to the ground, if God counts the very hairs of our heads, then God surely cares about the civic affairs of the state. If God sent His prophets of old to thunder against the abuses of the kings of Israel and Judah, if God’s servants were to warn of the evils in ancient Assyria and Babylon, then surely, today, God’s pastors are to speak up regarding the relevant truths of Scripture that help present the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
Nations that Forget God are Now Forgotten!
God cares so much for civil government and political matters, that nations that ignore God and this truth are eventually undercut. History shows that the great empires of Egypt, Phoenicia, and Persia are but a dust heap. The majesty of Greece is gone; today they languish in financial and spiritual ruin. The Roman Empire is but rubble. Italy remains a great place to visit; even the ruins are beautiful. But the country languishes in obscurity. The British Empire has been truncated into nominal world influence since its’ commonwealth abandoned God. The former hollow atheist state of the former Soviet Empire self-imploded in less than 70 years.
Gary DeMar, in his wonderful book “God and Government” writes, “The historical landscape is replete with the strewn corpses of fallen dynasties and collapsed kingdoms. There is a reason for this. Every kingdom that has fallen in some way or another has transgressed God’s commandments” (p. 204).
Nations that forget God either collapsed under the weight of their own sinful decadence or they were conquered by other hostile kingdoms (Daniel 1:17; 2:31-45; 4:28-37; 5:1-31). In either case, the reason for their collapse is spiritual (and ethical). They transgressed God’s commandments and God judged them. Nations that submit to God remain; those that rebel are judged.
Psalm 33:12
God’s word couldn’t be clearer. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
God’s Chosen Nation was No Exception!
- During Israel’s occupation of the land of Canaan, God made it clear that the reason the previous occupants of the land were evicted was due to their violation of His law (Leviticus 18:24-27).
- The Canaanites’ refusal to obey God’s law meant their removal from the land. They weredispossessed because of rebellion.
- During the period of the Judges, Israel’s failure to heed God’s warnings regarding His law brought judgment and temporary displacement from the full use of their land inheritance (Judges 6:1).
- As time went on, Israel slowly lost its inheritance through repeated acts of rebellion (Jeremiah 25:1-11).
- Eventually the entire nation was exiled for 70 years and came under God’s righteous sanctions (Daniel 9:11-16).
- One final act of rebellion, the rejection of the promised Messiah, meant disinheritance: “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it” (Matthew 21:43; 23:38).
- Obedience brings blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)
- Disobedience brings cursing (Deuteronomy 28:15-68)
- The New Testament confirms this truth (Romans 13:3-4).
“Righteousness exalts a nation [positive sanction and blessing], but sin is a disgrace to any people[negative sanctions and cursing]”
The post Nations that God Blesses appeared first on Dr. Dave White.
